Chicago Hot Dog Recipe
You're in luck if you've never had a Chicago-style hot dog or want to go the DIY route and make your own. Here's how to create this culinary masterpiece in the comfort of your own kitchen.
The Recipe
During one of my first sojourns to the Windy City, I encountered a unique and tasty treat, the Chicago Dog. It falls into the class of a Minneapolis Juicy Lucy, a Philly Cheesesteak, Cincinnati Skyline Chili and a Binghamton Spiedie. All of which are also delicious.
Over the years, I made it a point to fix them at home whenever the mood struck me. Unfortunately, the proper ingredients weren't readily available, especially the Sport Peppers. We subbed in Texas Pete Pepper Sauce, pulling the tiny peppers out of the bottle as opposed to dousing food with the sauce. It worked but wasn't perfect. It was also a challenge to find the genuine nuclear apocalypse green relish.
In 2021, much to my delight, I found the relish in, of all places, our favorite seafood store, Coastal Seafoods. Then, that Christmas, my son and his family gave me an authentic Vienna Beef hot dog kit. My of my, having the right ingredients makes a difference!
Well, enough with the preamble; let's get cooking (pun intended)
Ingredients
I'm sticking with the original Vienna Beef but will offer alternatives since I know the Vienna products aren't universally available.
- Vienna Beef Hot Dogs - Nathan's Ballpark Franks are an excellent alternative
- Poppyseed hot dog buns
- Yellow Mustard
- Bright Green Vienna Relish - Mt. Olive Sweet Green Relish also works
- Freshly chopped white onions - red and spring onions work just fine
- Tomato wedges
- Kosher pickle spears - Claussen Sandwich Slices also work nicely
- Sport Peppers - Texas Pete Pepper Sauce peppers sub in nicely, as do pepperoncini peppers in a pinch
- Celery salt - we generally use celery seed to reduce salt intake:>)
Preparation
The order and quantities are important to achieve the perfect Chicago Dog experience. Be prepared for them to be messy to eat, and don't hesitate to use a knife and fork to get all the goodies.
- Boil the hot dogs to prepare them for the feast
- Steam or warm the hot dog buns. Here's a neat trick, leave the buns frozen and wrap them in paper towels. Then put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Voila, steamed hot dog buns!!
- Place the dog in the bun
- Add yellow mustard in a zig-zag pattern
- Slather on the green relish
- Add a layer of chopped onions
- Place two tomato wedges along one side
- Place a single dill spear on the other side
- Top it all off with two Sport Peppers
- Sprinkle on celery salt to taste
- Enjoy with chips and a pilsner beer!
For you visual learners out there, I copied over the pictorial version of the recipe from the Vienna Beef website.
